Difference between Salsa On1 and Salsa On2

You have seen it on our schedule, or heard it in class: Salsa On1, Salsa On2, Salsa LA, Salsa NY, what are all these styles actually? In this blog we are going to talk about it. What is the difference between Salsa On1 and Salsa On2.

Salsa On1

Salsa On1 (sometimes also called Salsa LA) is the most danced style in the Netherlands (and probably in Europe too). The style is actually called LA (which stands for Los Angeles) because it was made popular in Los Angeles. We say Salsa On1 more often than Salsa LA. You will see in a moment why that is.

Salsa On2

Salsa On2 (sometimes also called Salsa NY) is mainly preferred at a higher level. As the name suggests: this style was made popular in New York.

The ‘break step’

The break step, or simply ‘break’, is the step where the dancer changes direction (for example forward).

In Salsa On1 the break is on the 1st count of the bar (8 counts: 1,2,3,rest,5,6,7,rest). Then you step forward (the ladies do the opposite). And on the 5th count you step back. Watch our beginners tutorial video here.

In Salsa On2 the break is on the 2nd count. But not forward. Your break is backward (the ladies do the opposite). And on the 5th count you step forward.

Because of the difference in the break steps, the dynamics while dancing are different when you dance On1 or On2.

Different dynamics

A bar has 8 counts, where the 4th and 8th counts are used as rest counts. On top of that, the bar starts on the 1, and the 5 halfway through the bar is an ‘in-between starting point’ (this is important for musicians).

So for the musicians the 1 is a ‘break count’ (and the 5). When you dance Salsa On1, you move forward on this count (1). When you dance Salsa On2, you actually step in place. Because of this, the feeling in relation to the music is definitely different.

Also because, as dancers, on the rest count (4 and 8): when you dance Salsa On1 you are standing in place, and when you dance Salsa On2 you have just made your break step back or forward.

This creates a completely different dynamic when you dance Salsa On1 and Salsa On2. Of course how you dance matters too, but in fact you have a different relationship with the music when you dance Salsa On1 or Salsa On2.

Many dancers say they ‘have more calm’ when they dance On2. This is a personal experience, not everyone shares the same opinion about it. But most experienced dancers agree on this (the choice of music also matters here).

In the Netherlands

When we look at the salsa scene in the Netherlands, you also notice that there is a difference in level. Most dancers who dance at a higher level (giving shows and taking part in competitions) prefer to dance Salsa On2. This is because at festivals, too, experienced dancers dance Salsa On2 more than Salsa On1.

It is true, though, that by far most salsa dance schools choose Salsa On1 as the style to teach beginning dancers.

Watch a Salsa On1 dance here